Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has said that Santi Cazorla is his favourite Spaniard, and posted a celebratory picture with him after Arsenal's Community Shield triumph.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed that his favourite Spaniard at the club is Santi Cazorla in a recent picture on Instagram.

In the post on the social media site, which can be seen above, the England international showed a picture of himself celebrating Arsenal’s Community Shield success and captioned it: “Nice way to start the season! me and my favourite spaniard Santi Cazorla.”

Although the message may have been heartfelt, it doesn’t appear to shine too positive a light on Oxlade-Chamberlain’s personal feeling about their new captain Mikel Arteta.

The experienced midfielder was announced as Arsene Wenger’s choice to take over from Thomas Vermaelen, who has departed to join Barcelona, as captain of the club, but clearly some of his team-mates prefer his other compatriots.

That said, perhaps Oxlade-Chamberlain was just being generous given Cazorla’s crucial role in Arsenal winning their first trophy of the season.

Although the England international didn’t play, he was evidently delighted by his side’s success, and it was Cazorla’s well taken finish which set the Gunners on their way to victory.

Eventually Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners and it continued to enhance the feeling of excitement around the Emirates for the new campaign.

Although Arsenal have consistently finished in the top four under Wenger’s stewardship, his recent buys in the transfer-window have caught the eye and there is a hope that they can push on a challenge for titles once again.

The signings of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil over the past year have meant that the Gunners appear to be attracting world-class talent once again and it is expected that they will be in the hunt for the title this year, after ending their nine-year drought last season.

The Community Shield will look nice in their trophy-cabinet, but as Oxlade-Chamberlain says, it is just a start and they will be hoping to be posting more celebratory pictures come May!

Is Arteta a good choice as Arsenal captain?

John Verrall

John is a sports journalism graduate from Staffordshire University. He is a huge football fan and a minute-by-minute writer for UEFA.com, as well as being a freelance writer for Sports New Media. John has also seen his work been published by the likes of The Guardian, World Soccer and Shoot Magazine over the course of his bourgeoning journalism career so far. He has a particular expertise in all things to do with the Football League – and is a passionate Peterborough United fan.